JK2011 - version 9 Si cards ?

[lindseyk]

With both the Northern Champs and the British Champs unable to process version 9 Si cards can someone from the JK team confirm, or otherwise, that they'll be OK - giving us time to amend our entries to an older version if required.

[ChristineV]

I will find out for you.

[ChristineV]

OK, I am assured by SportIdent that series 8 and 9 SI-cards will work at the JK.

Apparently the Northern Champs were using a mix of SI boxes, some old and some newer. The older boxes didn't like the newer SI-cards.

[lindseyk]

Thanks Christine.

[Spookster]

Like the Northern Champs, the British Champs will be using a mix of newer and older boxes.

If you have a v8 or v9 card, we'll exchange it for a v5 at no charge at BOC.

[NeilC]

And for completeness v9 cards are OK at the Sprint/Middle champs, except for the string courses where you won't get a sweetie if you insist on going round with a v9 (we will also lend you a v5 for free).

[Big Jon]

With Emit there would be no problem of different versions of cards and units being incompatible, wrong system anyone.....?

[andy]

Like the Northern Champs, the British Champs will be using a mix of newer and older boxes.

If you have a v8 or v9 card, we'll exchange it for a v5 at no charge at BOC.

I think this is extremely poor form for a national champs. There are enough new SI units in the UK to cover BOC and BOC relay, perhaps asking to borrow would have been the better idea than simply not bothering. For example there are more than enough units a day's courier away in Scotland to cover all your events.
People these days will probably buy a v8 or a v9 over a v6 to get a faster card for less money, don't penalise them in the national champs.

[Spookster]

Like the Northern Champs, the British Champs will be using a mix of newer and older boxes.

If you have a v8 or v9 card, we'll exchange it for a v5 at no charge at BOC.

I think this is extremely poor form for a national champs. There are enough new SI units in the UK to cover BOC and BOC relay, perhaps asking to borrow would have been the better idea than simply not bothering. For example there are more than enough units a day's courier away in Scotland to cover all your events.

If you can point me towards a club prepared to loan me 90 BSF7 control units that would be helpful. We can't use BSF8 units (which is what most clubs have) unless they come with the adaptor plate to allow them to be fitted to alloy L-stakes. We're not prepared to place control units on the ground, or use the lightweight GRP stakes which are too flexible.

People these days will probably buy a v8 or a v9 over a v6

Actually it's 1% of the current BOC entrants who appear to have an incompatible card.

If we can use all BSF7 controls we will, but right now we can't say that. To suggest that we're "simply not bothering" is wrong, and might be considered "extremely poor form".

[graeme]

I agree with Andy, you're really asking for trouble here...
BOC has timed starts, if someone arrives at the start with the wrong type of SI card, then what? Hopefully you'll do the sensible thing and change people's start time (as at CompassSport Cup, Northern Champs etc) ... but when it happens at the relay, then what?

Or maybe you think its a good idea to get really officious and spoil people's weekend if they haven't read the details in the programme they weren't sent?

When BEOC required the new cards a few years back, I think only three of us still had v5s and had to hire.. The other two are now too old for elite competition , and even I've bought a new card: so this will not be a small problem.

[EddieH]

I don't know wat sort of card I have, and have forgotten how to find out. However as long as BOC provide me a free replacement if necessary why am I going to be upset by that? It's hardly going to make a difference to my performance.

[AndyC]

I think the issue of timed starts can be addressed by having a supply of dibbers at the start and making sure the "clear" box indicates when the wrong type is used allowing one to be borrowed in time to start normally.

[Scott]

I'm not sure it's possible to make a clear box do that (anybody know better?). What is presumably pretty straightforward (given the numbers involved) is just to personally contact anybody who has entered with the "wrong" version of SI card telling them that they will need to collect a hire card and asking them to reply acknowledging that they have received the message.

Although given that the SI card version can be determined from the card number, presumably it wouldn't actually be that difficult to configure the online entry system to prevent people entering with incompatible cards in the first place.

[AndyC]

I'm not an SI expert but a clear/check box with a display shows the number (and hence the model) and I assume that an old box won't clear/check an incompatible SI Card?

[Scott]

I assume that an old box won't clear/check an incompatible SI Card?

Ah yes, good point